The Big 12 stated that Kansas head coach Lance Leipold delivered an “unsubstantiated claim” when he mentioned a member of his team was struck by a folding blade launched from the bleachers during Texas Tech’s home contest triumph over KU.
The conference communicated that it had issued a monetary punishment to both Texas Tech and Kansas of $25,000 following the Red Raiders’ 42-17 home field achievement.
“Tech’s penalty is due to multiple cases of items being projected onto the field of play, while Kansas has been penalized for critical remarks concerning the conference and an associate institution, as well as a false declaration involving a folding blade by head coach Lance Leipold.”
Leipold stated after the competition that a team member had been struck, although he chose not to disclose if the individual sustained any wounds. TV station KCBD in Lubbock verified that a closed folding blade had been discovered on the field during Saturday’s contest and that video examined from within the stadium had been provided to the Big 12.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which acquired the analysis that Tech provided to the Big 12, video documentation indicated that the blade was collected off the field by a KU player and passed to a team member.
“It’s intended to be for well-being and similar aspects, and it’s an established custom that has been tolerated to a degree and hasn’t evolved,” Leipold stated concerning the Big 12’s ordinance against spectators tossing objects onto the field and Tech supporters’ tradition of throwing tortillas Saturday evening. “Ultimately, someone is going to be seriously injured, sadly.”
Wednesday afternoon, Leipold communicated that he accepted the Big 12’s determination.
“I value the Big 12 Conference’s comprehensive examination of occurrences that transpired during our competition last Saturday at Texas Tech,” Leipold declared in a formal statement. “I embrace their conclusions and eventual determination. I had a heightened emotional response in the fallout of the competition and recognize that I must improve.”
Following the competition, The Lawrence Journal-World, referencing a KU spokesperson, reported that Tech’s secondary infraction of the contest for spectators throwing objects onto the field “was an immediate consequence of the thrown folding blade” and that the spokesperson communicated that it was a Swiss Army-type knife.”
“Following an official assessment, Texas Tech did not execute sufficient measures to avert and dissuade the recurring tossing of objects onto the field and team bench areas,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark communicated in a declaration. “Coach Leipold’s remarks questioned the honesty and professionalism of both the conference and an associate institution. Both activities justified a financial punishment. The Big 12 Conference emphasizes honesty and will have no further statement on the subject.”
Saturday’s competition represented the first occasion Tech had acquired an infraction for spectators tossing objects onto the field. With Big 12 regulations mandating that spectators receive a warning on the primary offense, Tech has attempted to advise supporters to refrain from tossing tortillas following the initial kickoff.
